Integration Concepts; Backup - HP Data Protector A.06.11 Integration Manual

Integration concepts

The Data Protector integration with the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service
provides full support for certified VSS writers.
For a complete list of supported VSS writers and provider, see the latest support
matrices at http://www.hp.com/support/manuals.
Benefits of using the integration
Advantages of using the Data Protector VSS integration are the following:
• Unified backup interface is provided for all applications that provide a writer.
• Data integrity is provided on application level, because it is provided by the
writers. No interference is needed from the backup application.
VSSBAR agent
The central part of the integration is the VSSBAR agent, which links Data Protector
with the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service. Data Protector Microsoft Volume
Shadow Copy integration uses the VSSBAR agent for automatic browsing of
VSS-aware writers, coordinating backup and restore. VSSBAR agent is responsible
for the following actions:
• detecting VSS writers
• examining and analyzing Writer Metadata Document (WMD)
Writer Metadata Document (WMD) is metadata provided by each writer. Writers
identify themselves by the metadata and instruct the backup application what to
back up and how to restore the data. Thus, Data Protector follows the requirements
provided by the writer when selecting the volumes to be backed up and the restore
method.
• requesting shadow copy creation
• backing up writers' data to media
• coordinating restore session start
• restoring the Writer Metadata Document
• restoring writer's data from media

Backup

During the Data Protector VSS integration backup, Data Protector does not interact
directly with each writer, but through the VSS interface. It uses the VSSBAR agent to
156 Integrating Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service with Data Protector